MVP Malcolm Smith gets Disney World trip

Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith received the traditional Disney World trip to Orlando Monday as part of the reward for the Seahawks first NFL championshp.

One of the big commercial traditions for American sports champions is the trip to Disney World for the winner of the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player award. LB Malcolm Smith, the Seahawks unlikely winner, was the first defensive player to win the award since Disney began the tradition with the Super Bowl in 1987.

He was flown from New Jersey to Orlando Monday and was part of a parade honoring him after his nine tackles, fumble recovery, pass defense, special-teams tackle and 69-yard interception return in the second quarter that put the Seahawks ahead 22-0 as part of the 43-8 dismantling of the Denver Broncos.

As part of the tradition, Smith did the spontaneous video on the MetLife Stadium field with an exuberant appreciation of the trip. The theme song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” was sung by by Idina Menzel, star of the movie “Frozen.” Menzel recorded the vocal track in New York City Jan. 26 and it was paired with the orchestral track recorded the previous week at London’s famed Abbey Road Studios.

Smith had a hero’s welcome parade at Magic Kingdom park down Main Street, U.S.A., and found numerous Twelves celebrating the win.

This latest commercial is the 47th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI, which featured he first “I’m Going to Disney World” commercial with New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms. It was regarded as a groundbreaking TV commercial — a produced national ad involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion.

The Disney promotion includes an exclusive deal for Washington State residents – a free night and room upgrade at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort hotel when booking two nights. For more information, 1-800-227-1500 or visit http://swandolphin.com/offers/biggame/.

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